Good Morning! The early editor for the Prairie region at The Canadian Press Edmonton is Ken Trimble. Your queries and contributions are welcome. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba stations call 780-428-6107 and press zero to reach the newsroom. Edmontons...

Alberta Opposition leader would scrap oil-by-rail deal--EDMONTON - Opposition Leader Jason Kenney says if he wins the spring election, he will try to cancel Alberta's $3.7-billion deal with Canada's two largest railways to ship more oil by rail."This...

Canadian alcohol policies gets failing grade--VICTORIA - Two new studies say the federal and provincial governments must do more to reduce alcohol consumption after determining damages from drinking have surpassed tobacco use.As part of the Canadian...

HALIFAX - (NS-Fatal-Fire)Seven children from a Syrian refugee family died early yesterday in a fast-moving Halifax house fire described as Nova Scotia's deadliest blaze in recent memory.Their parents, identified as Ebraheim and Kawthar Barho, were in...

(Oland-Murder)Crown prosecutors in Saint John, New Brunswick are expected to conclude their case against Dennis Oland this week.One of their final witnesses, John Ainsworth, is expected to take the stand today.Ainsworth was working in the office below...

Barrick helps facilitate deal in Tanzania--TORONTO - Barrick Gold Corp. says it has helped facilitate a deal between Acacia Mining and the government in Tanzania as Barrick's new CEO looks to reorder the company.Under the agreement, the economic benefits...

Review board says child killer still safety threat--PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. - The British Columbia Review Board has ruled that the man who killed his three children while severely mentally ill remains a threat to public safety, although it recommends Allan...

---(BC-SNC-Lavalin)The Vancouver M-P at the heart of the S-N-C Lavalin controversy abstained from voting an opposition motion calling for a public inquiry.The Liberals defeated the motion calling for an independent probe into allegations that the Prime...

Hansons still popular decades after 'Slap Shot'--Steve Carlson has one of the most recognizable faces in hockey and is regularly swarmed by hockey fans. He and his "brothers" sign just as many autographs as some of the biggest names in the sport's history.But...

First-degree murder charge for 14-year-old boy in teen's death--BARRIE, Ont. - A 14-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a teen with whom he shared a home, police in central Ontario said Wednesday.Peter Leon, spokesman...

Business News Advisory--Here are the CP Business Department's early plans for today. All times Eastern unless otherwise stated. All ETAs and wordcounts approximate. Entries are subject to change as news develops. If you have any questions, please don't...

Father finds parole ruling 'outrageous'--CALGARY - A Calgary man has started an online petition with the hope of revoking day parole for a woman who was imprisoned for his little girl's death.Ryan McGrath's daughter, Ceira, was 18 months old when she...

Canada rejects ban on shipping recyclables--OTTAWA - Canada will not sign on to an amendment to an international treaty that would fully ban developed countries like Canada from shipping hazardous waste, including recyclables, to the developing world.The...

St-Pierre helped put MMA on the map--Georges St-Pierre's fighting days are over. For good this time, it seems.The 37-year-old mixed martial arts star from St-Isidore, Que., will make it official at a news conference Thursday at Montreal's Bell Centre,...

Canada Soccer Hall of Fame welcomes 12 more--OTTAWA - Twelve players, including four from the rival Firefighters FC and Columbus FC teams of the Pacific Coast League, are being inducted in the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of a special class of...

Canadians head to Vatican for sex abuse summit--Canada's top Catholic bishop says he hopes to emphasize the importance of believing victims when he discusses sexual abuse with his international counterparts during a gathering at the Vatican this week.Advocates...

Canadian Premier League gets media partner--TORONTO - Less than 10 weeks before kickoff, the Canadian Premier League has unveiled its media partner with ambitious plans to showcase soccer in Canada.Spain-based Mediapro has struck a 10-year deal with...

Casey and Scheidegger lead way at Scotties--SYDNEY, N.S. - Chelsea Carey and her teammates had a purpose when they formed a new rink ahead of this season.Their goal was to become a solid team that could grind out tough victories when needed. The Alberta...

Bank, pipeline CEOs call for energy strategy--TORONTO - The CEOs of Canada's largest bank and its largest pipeline company say the country needs an energy strategy that will better balance environmental and Indigenous goals with the need to develop its...

Climate action helps companies build reputations and attract investors--This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available...

Alex Harvey to retire at end of season--MONTREAL - Alex Harvey, one of Canada's most successful cross-country skiers, will hang up his skis for good at the end of the current World Cup season.Cross Country Canada says the 30-year-old will wrap up his...

Bad telecom sales practices confirmed by CRTC--The Canadian Television-radio and Telecommunications Commission confirmed Wednesday what has been widely alleged for years -- the industry uses unacceptable sales practices that mislead consumers and harms...

Death in Cat Lake shaking community: MP--OTTAWA - Ontario NDP MP Charlie Angus says the death of a 48-year-old woman in Cat Lake First Nation is shaking up community residents and he doesn't know what it will take for the federal government to see the...

Domee Shi on bringing her love of food to the screen--TORONTO - It's a film scene that would mesmerize any foodie: A close-up shot of a woman's hands as she deftly folds a pocket of dough filled with pork and vegetables into a perfectly pleated dumpling.It...

---(SNC-Lavalin)An opposition motion calling for a public inquiry into allegations that the Prime Minister's Office pressured Jody Wilson-Raybould to help S-N-C-Lavalin avoid criminal prosecution has been defeated by the Liberals.The former attorney...

---(SNC-Lavalin) (Audio: P01)Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould spoke briefly to reporters on her way into this morning's Liberal caucus meeting on Parliament Hill.She was asked if she is going to explain what is going on with multiple investigations...

Electrical stimulation technique helps patients with spinal cord injury--This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is...

---(NS-Fatal-Fire-Vigil)It will be a chance for Haligonians to come together in the spirit of sympathy and compassion and grieve the loss of seven children from a Syrian refugee family.Halifax city hall has called a community gathering tonight in support...

UFC returns to Ottawa with May show--The UFC is returning to Ottawa for a May 4 show at the Canadian Tire Centre.The main event has yet to be announced but the UFC has already lined up seven Canadians, including 14th-ranked middleweight contender Elias...

Entertainment News Advisory--Good afternoon from the Canadian Press entertainment department!Advisories will typically hit the wire around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET and will also be sent to editors by email. Questions can go to WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY:Jay...

Eyes on Flames as trade deadline approaches--The NHL trade deadline makes the spotlight on the Calgary Flames feel hotter.This season's Flames are having arguably the franchise's best season since Calgary won the Stanley Cup in 1989.Duking it out with...

Fake handgun found after high school lockdown--HALIFAX - Terrified high school students were barricaded inside classrooms for hours Wednesday during a weapons-related lockdown that ended with the arrest of a 15-year-old boy. Halifax Regional Police said...

Families want First World War letter shared with public--WINNIPEG - A Manitoba antique store owner who found a letter written by a First World War soldier to the sister of a man who saved his life on a battlefield has contacted some of the relatives.In...

NDP loses appeal over satellite offices--OTTAWA - The NDP cannot turn to the courts to overturn a five-year-old order by a parliamentary committee to repay as much as $2.7 million in expenses the committee said were improperly claimed.The committee that...

Federal government to present budget March 19--OTTAWA - Finance Minister Bill Morneau will introduce the Liberal government's pre-election budget on March 19 in a document expected to touch the issues of prescription drug costs, skills training for workers...

---(SNC-Lavalin) (Audio: P14)Another day of fireworks in the House of Commons saw the Liberal majority vote down a motion by the Opposition to launch a public inquiry into the S-N-C-Lavalin scandal.Surprisingly enough, two Liberals -- Toronto M-P Nathaniel...

---(NS-Fatal-Fire-Vigil)A traditional Islamic burial process can begin today or tomorrow for the seven children killed in yesterday's tragic house fire in Halifax.D-N-A tests were still being done last night to confirm the identities of the victims before...

Final Crown witnesses to take stand at Oland trial--SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Legal arguments dominated the second-degree murder trial of Dennis Oland on Wednesday and led to an early adjournment before a key prosecution witness could take the stand.Crown prosecutors...

---(NS-Fatal-Fire)Halifax deputy fire chief Dave Meldrum won't speculate on a cause, but says Tuesday's house fire in the city was the deadliest blaze anyone in Nova Scotia can remember.Seven children, all members of a Syrian refugee family ranging in...

---(SNC-Lavalin) (Audio: P13)The Trudeau government used its majority to defeat an Opposition motion calling for a public inquiry into the S-N-C-Lavalin scandal.Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould -- who is at the centre of the controversy --...

---(NS-Fatal-Fire-Vigil)About 100 people gathered outside a badly charred home in suburban Halifax last night to mourn the deaths of seven children and to find solace in the company of other grieving neighbours.Seven children were killed in a fast-moving...

Scheidegger not bothered by distractions--SYDNEY, N.S. - A funky odour at one end of Centre 200 didn't throw Casey Scheidegger off her game. Neither did a heckler who barked out a comment before her final throw.The Team Wild Card skip from Lethbridge,...

Man sentenced for Amber Alert joy ride--NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. - A Saskatchewan man who triggered an Amber Alert when he stole a running SUV with a disabled girl in the back seat has been sentenced to 31 months in jail.Johnathan Gunville had pleaded...

Health-Lifestyles News Advisory--Good afternoon from the Canadian Press lifestyles department!Advisories will typically hit the wire around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET and will also be sent to editors by email. Questions can go to WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT...

Delays for marriage, birth, death certificates--TORONTO - The Ontario government says high demand and issues with online applications are causing delays of up to three and a half months in issuing birth, death and marriage certificates -- a situation...

I am not your nice 'Mammy': How racist stereotypes still impact women--This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available...

CFL joins forces with league in Italy--TORONTO - Add Italy to the growing list of international football federations working with the CFL.The Federazione Italiana di American Football (FIDAF) and the CFL announced they will team up in a partnership to...

New heritage minute details Japanese internment--VANCOUVER - A new heritage minute is sharing the story of a pioneering baseball team in British Columbia and the shameful government policy that tore them apart.Composed of Japanese Canadian players, the...

Jay Baruchel says goodbye to his dragon--TORONTO - The first time actor Jay Baruchel stepped into a recording booth to voice a young Viking named Hiccup for "How to Train Your Dragon," it was summer 2007 and his career was skyrocketing."Knocked Up" had...

Lawyers to get unisex change room at Toronto court--TORONTO - The Law Society of Ontario says it will create a unisex space where barristers appearing before the province's top court can change into their robes and network.The regulator says it will...

Liberals defeat call for SNC-Lavalin inquiry--OTTAWA - The Liberals used their majority Wednesday to defeat an opposition motion calling for a public inquiry into allegations that the Prime Minister's Office pressured Jody Wilson-Raybould to help SNC-Lavalin...

Liberals promise $638M for Indigenous housing--OTTAWA - A federal plan to spend $638 million on housing for Indigenous people living in cities and urban areas won't provide enough money or address the basic causes of Indigenous homelessness, say people...

Howard as smooth on air as he was on ice--SYDNEY, N.S. - Longtime skip Russ Howard wasn't expecting to embark on a long television broadcasting career when he first entered the booth nearly two decades ago. "In 2001, we lost the provincial final and...

North American indices, oil and gold prices up--Major North American indices advanced Wednesday on the affirmation that policy-makers would take a patient approach to future interest rate hikes.The Federal Reserve released minutes from its two-day late...

Make sure measles vaccinations are up to date: PHAC--TORONTO - Canada's top doctor is urging Canadians who haven't been vaccinated against measles to get their shots in the wake of a B.C. outbreak of the disease and the always present danger of cases...

Man accused of killing daughter has died: police--TORONTO - A man accused of killing his daughter on her 11th birthday died in hospital on Wednesday evening, police said, noting that their investigation into the girl's death is not over. Roopesh Rajkumar...

Manitoba 'pausing' relationship with ex- B.C. premier--WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government says it is "pausing" its relationship with Gordon Campbell following an allegation in a British newspaper that the former B.C. premier groped a woman in the United...

Volatility, mortgages loom over bank earnings--TORONTO - Canada's biggest banks are set to report on what has traditionally been the strongest quarter of the year, but market volatility and slower mortgage growth during the period could weigh on their...

National Audio 10:55 AM ET--NAT050 - (BBO-Heritage-Minute-Asahi) (FOR PRODUCTION) UNDATED. x-09s. A new Heritage Minute is sharing the story of a pioneering Japanese-Canadian baseball team in British Columbia. The Vancouver Asahi initially struggled...

National Audio 1:05 PM ET--NAT058 - (Russia-Putin) (FOR PRODUCTION) MOSCOW. x-21s. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he wants friendly relations with the United States and remains open for arms control talks with Washington. Putin said in his state-of-the-nation...

National Audio 2:15 PM ET--NAT065 - (Alta-Day-Home-Death) CALGARY. x-13s. A Calgary man has started an online petition with the hope of reversing a decision which grants day parole to a woman imprisoned for the death of his little girl. Ceira (KEER'-uh)...

National Audio 2:45 AM ET--NAT002 - (Ont-Rajkumar-Vigil) (EXTENDED) BRAMPTON. x-26s. The grieving mother of an 11-year-old girl allegedly killed by her father last week in Brampton, Ontario says she is heartbroken that she will never see her daughter...

National Audio 4:55 AM ET--NAT023 - (ENT-MUSIC-Michael-Buble) (NOT FOR ONLINE USE) UNDATED. x-18s. Michael Buble's (boo-BLAYZ') wife has curtailed his singing in one very specific venue -- the bathroom. The Canadian singer says in an Associated Press...

National Audio 4:55 PM ET--NAT084 - (AS-US-NKorea-Summit) (NOT FOR ONLINE USE) WASHINGTON. x-27s. (Karen Travers) Final preparations are underway for a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea. (WAS) (SOURCE:ABC)--NAT085 - (Alta-Crude-By-Rail)...

National Audio 6:55 PM ET--NAT098 - (ENT-Empire-Cast-Member-Attack) UNDATED. x-32s. (Oscar Wells Gabriel) There's been a major development in the case of a T-V actor who reported that he was assaulted in Chicago. (SOURCE:The Associated Press)--NAT099...

National Audio 9:15 PM ET--NAT113 - (US-Stolen-Safe-Billboard-Reward) UNDATED. x-35s. (Chuck Sivertsen) A big sign is offering a big reward for information that could help an American man who lost his life savings. (WAS) (SOURCE:ABC)--NAT114 - (US-Samsung-New-Phones)...

NDP candidates stronger on climate than Singh--BURNABY, B.C. - Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is facing calls from within the party for a stronger stance on climate change as he defends his support of the $40-billion LNG Canada project in northern...

---(Ont-Rajkumar-Death) (Audio:119)A man accused of killing his 11-year-old daughter has died in hospital.Peel regional police say Roopesh Rajkumar died Wednesday after spending days in the hospital with what authorities described as a self-inflicted...

---(Trudeau-Leger-Poll)A new poll shows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got the backing of 26 per cent of respondents on the question of which party leader would make the best prime minister.That's a drop of seven points in the wake of the S-N-C-Lavalin...

Jury at murder trial told acquittal not an option--MONTREAL - The case of a Quebec man accused of killing his ailing wife is now in the hands of a jury.Jurors were sequestered Wednesday to determine the fate of Michel Cadotte, 57, charged with second-degree...

Nunavut tables near-balanced budget--IQALUIT, Nunavut - As Nunavut approaches the 20th anniversary of its creation, the territory has tabled a mostly stand-pat budget that plans modest spending increases to fight some of its social problems."We look...

Ontario announces home warranty changes--Ontario has announced changes for new home warranties, including moving oversight for new home builders and vendors away from the corporation that provides the warranties.Government and Consumer Services Minister...

---(Ont-Rajkumar-Vigil)The mayor of Mississauga says the death of an 11-year-old last week should be a stark reminder that more needs to be done to protect women and young girls from violence.Mayor Bonnie Crombie made the remarks last night at a vigil...

---(Ont-Autism)Eastern Ontario M-P-P Randy Hillier has been suspended from the Progressive Conservative caucus indefinitely over comments the premier says were made to parents of children with autism.Premier Doug Ford doesn't say exactly what comments...

---(Ont-Teen-Death)Police in Barrie have charged a 14-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the death of another teenager.Spokesman Peter Leon says it's too early to provide many details on the case, including the age of the victim or how he died.He...

Pacific FC signs veteran Marcel de Jong--Pacific FC has added veteran Canadian international Marcel de Jong to its Canadian Premier League roster.The 32-year-old fullback, who can play in the midfield, spent the last three years with the Vancouver Whitecaps....

Photo Advisory addition--The Canadian Press photo advisory addition for Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Entries with an estimated photo transmission time (EST) are staffed by The Canadian Press or Associated Press photojournalists. ADDITIONS: OTTAWA--Liberal...

PM joins hundreds in Halifax square for vigil--HALIFAX - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among the hundreds of people who gathered in Halifax's main square Wednesday night in support of a Syrian refugee family that lost seven children in a house fire,...

Prairie Audio 11:50 AM MT--PR02 - (Alta-Day-Home-Death)CALGARY. x-13s. A Calgary man has started an online petition with the hope of reversing a decision which grants day parole to a woman imprisoned for the death of his little girl. Ryan McGrath's daughter,...

---(Manitoba-Hydro-Campbell)Former B-C premier Gordon Campbell is stepping aside as the commissioner of an independent review of Manitoba Hydro projects.The move follows British newspaper reports alleging he is the subject of a sexual assault investigation...

Ford suspends caucus member amid autism debate--TORONTO - Premier Doug Ford suspended a member of his caucus Wednesday for comments made as parents of children with autism packed the legislature's galleries, angry about funding changes they say are woefully...

---(Livestock-Aquaculture)The federal government is spending 4.5 million dollars to help the livestock and aquaculture sectors improve their codes of practice.The money is to go to the Canadian Animal Health Coalition.The projects will include changing...

---(Markets)Major North American indices advanced today after the U-S Federal Reserve released meeting notes indicating it would be patient about future interest rate hikes.The S&amp;P/TSX composite index gained 93.80 points to 16,031.24.In New York,...

---(Antifungal-Pregnancy-SideEffects)A new study appears to show that a common antifungal medication, whose clinical name is fluconazole, can cause an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and cardiac defects.The researchers looked at the rates of stillbirth,...